Four-Cheese Baked Ziti

Name: Four-Cheese Baked Ziti
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 1/2 cup shredded carrots; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian diced tomatoes; 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 cup vegetable broth; 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 8 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta; 1 cup (8 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese; 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese; 1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves, thinly sliced; 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 10 min. YIELD: 8 servings.

Diane Nemitz of Ludington, Michigan writes, “A day without pasta is a like a day without sunshine!” Beefed up with vegetables and cheese, her mouthwatering baked ziti will definitely make days brighter.—Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

Ingredients

1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian diced tomatoes
1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
8 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta
1 cup (8 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook the onion, green pepper and carrots until crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, broth and pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
2. Cook ziti according to package directions; drain. Stir in the vegetable mixture, ricotta cheese, provolone cheese and basil.
3. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 286 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 806mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.